After hunting public land recently and hearing the noise from other hunters handling their dogs, I wonder how you handle yours? I like to be as quite as I can and have a whistle but leave it at home. I heard some people really tooting that whistle and shouting commands a lot while hunting. Other than a recall and fetch command, I don't handle my dog much. What about you?

You might have heard my whistle Saturday morning at the chaparral. I have an older dog that likes go out on her own quite a bit. I can bring her in with tone on her collar , but she has a hard time finding me sometimes. Really only have this issue when hunting on foot through the tall brush.

I hunt woodcock in the woods. My GSP Jenny works close. 90% of the time I can see her. If she's out of my sight for more than a minute or so I listen for her movement in the leaves. Much longer I say "Come Jenny!" in a loud voice. The only time she doesn't come is if she's pointed-then I go to her.

Soothing "Good Girl..." or "Good Jenny.." walking up on a point. "Find the bird Jenny!" when a bird is down if she hasn't seen it down (which is often). Praise, pats, hugs, and a treat at the retrieve.

One would have to be real close to hear anything but the "Come Jenny!".

No e-collar, no whistle, no GPS, not even a bell on her collar.

I should probably at least put a bell on and/or GPS....

Edited by Nogalus Prairie (01/19/1510:39 AM)

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Originally Posted By: Russ79

I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.